December 29, 2008

So long, 2008!

Sorry for my silence the last week or two- I decided that I wanted to have a computer-free holiday, so that is exactly what I did! It was great fun and restful, and I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday season, too.

I've just gotten back to NYC after being home in Virginia for about five days, but there is no rest for the wickid; I am heading off again early tomorrow morning to Charleston, where I will ring in the new year in southern style with two of my best friends. We are planning to eat gorgeous meals here and here, and I can't wait!

But, before it's time to thoroughly embrace the new year, it's good to look back at this past one and notice all the things that have happened and changed.

Let's see. I started out the year in massive pain (though I slammed my feet into heels anyway and hobbled - literally- down the street to a New Year's Eve dinner at Gramercy Tavern). Back in January, I was waiting for the evil insurance gods to grant my request for Enbrel, and I took my first shot on January 19th, 2008, overcoming my fear of needles. I've come so far, in fact, that not only can I give myself a shot with a glass of wine in one hand, but I can also mix the meds up and assemble the needle, too!

My vocabulary has grown this year to include the regular use of words such as TNF inhibitors, biologics, SED rate, vial adapter, swirl and bail out.

I saw eight different doctors or health workers more times than I know how to count, swallowed roughly 2,500 pills and shot myself up approximately 80 times.

I lost two earrings (to two different pairs) and about nine pounds (some of which I have gained back in the last month, but I'm refusing to step on a scale until 2009, which means I'm still 'officially' down by nine).

I had, let's count them, ZERO dates. (Wow. Must improve that in 2009 to at least one. That is pretty pathetic, even if I was saddled with a chronic disease.)

I drank at least 50 bottles of champagne all on my own (perhaps because of the above statistic?), and am the proud owner of seven new pairs of heels.

I think it is interesting to note that, even though 2008 was one of the hardest years for me, medically speaking, it was also a year when I traveled more than any other in recent memory. In the last twelve months, I've made it to five countries (Latvia, Czech Republic, Peru, Argentina and Uruguay) as well as San Francisco (three times), Seattle, Charleston (assuming my flight goes as expected tomorrow), Boston, and Philadelphia, among others.

Hi Sara! I just stumbled across your blog and would love to add you to my blogroll. I author BarkingDogShoes.com, a blog about comfortable, stylish shoes for women. I was diagnosed in my late 20s with RA (now 40) but refuse to give in to orthopedic shoes.

Many of my readers have RA and other chronic illnesses, so would totally "get" your blog.

Hi Kirsten,
So glad you found me-and can't wait to explore your blog! I've added you to my list as well since cute shoes are a must-have! I refuse to wear orthopedic tombstones, too!
Happy New Year!
Sara